SSSTS or SMSTS? Which course you need, and how to keep it valid
SSSTS is the 2-day CITB safety course for supervisors — people who run a gang or a section. SMSTS is the 5-day course for site managers. Both certificates last 5 years. Do the refresher before it expires — if you miss the date, you have to sit the full course again.
From citb.co.uk and the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme rules, checked November 2026. Prices are set by each training provider — CITB doesn't publish one price.
Side by side
| SSSTS | SMSTS | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Supervisors, foremen, chargehands | Site managers, and supervisors moving up |
| Length | 2 days (at least 15 hours) | 5 days (at least 37.5 hours) |
| Exam | 25 questions, 30 minutes | 25 questions, 35 minutes, plus 4 group exercises |
| Pass mark | 80% — and 4 safety-critical questions must be right | 81% (26 out of 32) |
| Refresher | SSSTS-R, 1 day | SMSTS-R, 2 days |
| Classroom or online | Both — classroom or remote (live) | Both — classroom or remote (live) |
Neither course has formal entry requirements, but you need enough English to work as a supervisor or manager. CITB advises people with no safety management experience to start with SSSTS.
Which one should you do?
You lead a small team, a trade gang or one part of the job, and report to the site manager: SSSTS.
You run the whole site, or you're about to — planning, inductions, permits, subcontractors: SMSTS. You don't need SSSTS first, but CITB recommends it if you've never managed safety before.
No law names SSSTS or SMSTS. The law (CDM 2015) says anyone appointed to do construction work must have the skills, knowledge and experience for the role. Main contractors often ask for these courses as proof — check the job advert or ask before you book.
How to book and pass
Find an approved provider
Use Find a course on citb.co.uk. Courses run nationwide, in a classroom or live online. Only a CITB Site Safety Plus provider can give you a real certificate.
Attend every hour
You must attend the full course. Miss a day and you redo that day within 30 days — or the whole course.
Sit the exam on the last day
Mostly closed book: you can only open the course guide in the last 10 minutes (SSSTS) or 15 minutes (SMSTS). SMSTS also needs 4 group exercises and a pass from the trainer before the exam.
Missed it narrowly?
SSSTS: 70–77% gets one re-sit. SMSTS: 72–78% gets one re-sit. The re-sit must be within 30 days. Fail it and you redo the course.
Refreshers and expiry
SSSTS-R
1 day, same exam format and 80% pass mark. Only for people who passed SSSTS. Book it before your certificate expires.
SMSTS-R
2 days, same exam and 81% pass mark. You must hold a valid SMSTS certificate on the day.
Already expired?
There is no grace period in CITB's rules. If the refresher wasn't done before expiry, you go back in through the full course — 2 days for SSSTS, 5 days for SMSTS.
Lost the certificate?
The provider can check your record with CITB's online card checker. If no record is found, you have to sit the full course.
CSCS says plainly that SSSTS and SMSTS are not accepted for a CSCS card application, and they can't replace the CITB health, safety and environment test. The gold supervisor and black manager cards come from a supervisory or management NVQ, plus the right CITB test.
Graftum Pocket keeps a photo of your CSCS card, SSSTS or SMSTS certificate and other tickets, and reminds you months before each one expires. Free, in 7 languages.
Add my cards — 2 minutesCommon questions
What is the difference between SSSTS and SMSTS?
SSSTS is a 2-day CITB safety course for site supervisors. SMSTS is a 5-day course for site managers. Both are Site Safety Plus courses and both certificates last 5 years.
How long is SMSTS valid for?
5 years. To keep it, do the 2-day SMSTS-R refresher before the certificate expires.
Can I do the SMSTS refresher after it has expired?
No. CITB's rules say that if the refresher isn't done before the expiry date, you must do the full 5-day SMSTS again.
How long is the SSSTS refresher?
One day (at least 7.5 hours), with a 25-question exam and an 80% pass mark.
What is the SMSTS pass mark?
81% — 26 out of 32 marks, in a 35-minute exam of 25 questions. Scores of 72–78% get one re-sit.
Can I do SSSTS or SMSTS online?
Yes. CITB lists both as classroom or remote delivery. Remote means a live course with a trainer, not a self-paced video.
Does SMSTS get me a black CSCS card?
No. CSCS doesn't accept SMSTS or SSSTS for a card. The black manager card needs a construction management NVQ and the Managers and Professionals test.
Do I need SSSTS before SMSTS?
No, there are no formal entry requirements. CITB suggests SSSTS first if you have no experience of managing health and safety.
